Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has applauded the Court of Appeal’s verdict affirming his victory at the March 18,2023 gubernatorial election in the state.
The PDP, and it’s candidate, Mohammad Isah Ashiru Kudan, had challenged the declaration of Sani by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the 18th March, 2023 poll in the North-West state.
The INEC Collation Officer, Prof. Lawal Bilbis, who announced the result, had said the APC candidate polled 730,002 votes while his closest rival, Isah Ashiru Kudan of the Peoples Democratic Party, scored 719,196 votes.
He added that the Labour Party candidate, Jonathan Asake, polled 58,283 to come third while the New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, came to a distant fourth with 21,405 votes while rejected votes stood at 19,114.
However, dissatisfied by the ruling, the PDP and it’s candidate appealed the judgement of the tribunal.
But the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday, affirmed the Justice Victor Oviawe led three-man Election Tribunal Judgement which upheld Uba Sani’s victory as the winner of the 2023 Gubernatorial Elections in Kaduna State as well as dismissing the petition against him, describing the verdict as a “testament to the strength of our legal institutions, a win for democracy and a validation of the people’s will.”
While expressing joy and gratitude at the confirmation of his victory by the Appeal Court,Governor Uba Sani also extended a hand of fellowship to all opposing sides in a bid to move Kaduna state forward in tandem with the #SUSTAINKaduna agenda.
This was according to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Lawal Shehu released to newsmen in Kaduna on Friday.
The governor praised the diligence and thoroughness of both the tribunal and the appellant court while noting that he’s always confident in the nation’s judicial process.
“Today, I received the news of the Appeal Court verdict ,I acknowledge and appreciate the diligence and thoroughness of the Kaduna State Elections Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court for arriving at this verdict today.
“I have always remained confident in our judicial process. It is now time to peacefully move forward and continue to work assiduously for the people of Kaduna without distractions as the task ahead of us is huge.
“The Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe and my humble self,appreciate the All Progressives Congress family, and the good people of Kaduna for their unflinching support during this entire process
“I urge my brothers in the
opposition to accept this verdict in good faith and as the will of the people. It is time to come together as one to move our great state forward,” the statement partly read.
Sani also promised to continue to encourage dialogue with all stakeholders and to maintain an open-door policy to well-meaning citizens.
